SP2 Information and New Listserv

[Rodney Petersen <rpetersen () EDUCAUSE EDU>]

Although Microsoft's release of Service Pack 2 (SP2) is being touted as
containing "advanced security technologies", we recognize that the
implementation of SP2 in college and university environments will
require the engagement of security professionals and others at your
institutions.  Therefore, the EDUCAUSE/Internet2 Computer and Network
Security Task Force is organizing an effort to facilitate the exchange
of information between Microsoft and educational institutions and among
colleges and universities.  I would encourage you to share the
information below with appropriate staff at your institution.

First, we are establishing a listserv for institutions of higher
education as a vehicle to disseminate further information regarding SP2
and to facilitate discussion between institutions.  We encourage windows
support staff, help desk staff, security officers, and others to
subscribe and share their experiences or insights with the community.
You can subscribe by sending the command "Subscribe SP2-ISSUES firstname
lastname" to listserv () listserv educause edu  The list will be archived
and will remain available until such time that we are over the hump of
the major implementation issues that many of us expect.

Second, a Summary of Relevant Windows XP SP2 Dates as obtained by
EDUCAUSE are as follows:
8/6     Release to manufacturing
8/9     Release to Microsoft Download Center (full network install
package)
8/10    Release to Automatic Updates (for machines running pre-release
versions of Windows XP SP2 only)
8/16    Release to Automatic Updates (for machines not running
pre-releases versions of Windows XP SP2)
8/16    Release to SUS via AU
Later in August
        Release to Windows Update for interactive user installations

Third, we would recommend that institutions begin testing their
applications with Windows XP Service Pack 2 by downloading the final
version that is currently available at
http://msdn.microsoft.com/security/productinfo/XPSP2/default.aspx  We
also encourage developers to share their experiences with others on the
SP2-Issues listserv mentioned in the earlier paragraph.

Finally, we are told that more detailed information will be available
from Microsoft at http://www.microsoft.com/education/hevdp.aspx later
this this afternoon.  It will include information about "Microsoft's
Back to School Program called Higher Education Volunteer Distribution
Program(HEVDP)", and will include more information about "Microsoft's
redistribution policies and recommended approaches for security of
computers."

Please look for more detailed information and periodic updates at the
SP2-Issues listserv.

Rodney Petersen
Security Task Force Coordinator, EDUCAUSE

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